Groundbreaking Ceremony for Lead Water Line Replacement

June 14, 2017 04:15 PM

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has provided the City of Galesburg with a $1,934,697 forgivable loan to assist homeowners in Galesburg with replacement of their lead water service lines. The project is slated to begin in July, and a groundbreaking ceremony has been planned for Saturday, June 24th to celebrate this step forward for Galesburg. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos and Mayor Pritchard are both expected to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony.

The first phase of the project entails replacing 409 lead water service lines from homes in which children had blood lead levels that had tested high in the past, homes that exceeded the EPA action level of 15 ppb when tested, and homes located within low to moderate income neighborhoods. The contractor plans to begin replacing lead water service lines Wednesday, July 5, 2017, and it is anticipated that the work will be completed for all 409 service lines before the end of 2017, weather permitting. A map is attached that shows the locations where the water service lines will be replaced.

Later this year, it is anticipated another forgivable loan will be available from the IEPA for an additional $2,000,000. This second round of funding would be enough to replace approximately 450 to 500 lead water service lines.

"We are very excited to see this project come to fruition, and are grateful to the IEPA for their funding and investment in Galesburg," said Wayne Carl, Director of Planning and Public Works for the City of Galesburg. "Eradicating lead from entering homes through privately owned lead service lines is a top priority. This is an investment in the health and well-being of our citizens."

The public is invited to join the City in celebrating the start of this project. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at 761 S. Chambers Street. For more information, please contact the City of Galesburg Department of Planning and Public Works at 309/345-3623.